IELTS Academic practice questions and exam guide

'Approximately 80%' is closest to:

1. exactly 80%
2. all
3. a small minority
4. around four in five

Answer: D — around four in five

A) 'Approximately' precludes 'exactly'. D) Correct — 80% ≈ 4/5. C) Reversal. B) Overstates.

A paragraph compares Nordic and Anglo-American welfare models. The best heading is:

1. Comparing welfare systems
2. The history of taxation
3. European geography
4. Anglo-American foreign policy

Answer: A — Comparing welfare systems

A) Correct — directly captures the comparison. B/C/D) Off-topic side issues.

Passage: 'A handful of universities account for the lion's share of research output.' Best paraphrase:

1. Every university produces equal research
2. Most universities produce most of the research
3. A small number of universities produce the majority of research
4. Universities produce no research

Answer: C — A small number of universities produce the majority of research

A) Reversal. B) Off-by-one — 'a handful' is small, not most. C) Correct — 'handful' = small number; 'lion's share' = majority. D) Reversal.

Band 7 in IELTS roughly means:

1. Beginner — basic phrases only
2. Good user — operational command, occasional inaccuracies, handles complex language
3. Expert user — perfect English
4. Failed the test

Answer: B — Good user — operational command, occasional inaccuracies, handles complex language

A) That's Band 2-3. B) Correct — Band 7 = good user; can use complex language, with some inaccuracies and misunderstandings. Common university requirement for graduate programs. C) That's Band 9. D) IELTS doesn't have pass/fail; institutions set their own minimums.

Passage: 'The drug shows promise but has yet to undergo Phase III trials.' Best paraphrase:

1. Phase III trials are complete
2. The drug is fully approved
3. The drug looks encouraging, though large-scale trials have not yet been done
4. The drug has been rejected

Answer: C — The drug looks encouraging, though large-scale trials have not yet been done

A) Reversal of 'yet to undergo'. B) Not implied. C) Correct — 'promise … yet to undergo Phase III' = encouraging + larger trials pending. D) Reversal.

An overview paragraph in Task 1 should:

1. summarise 2-3 main trends without specific data
2. include every number
3. give your opinion
4. be in the conclusion only

Answer: A — summarise 2-3 main trends without specific data

B) Numbers go in body. A) Correct — overview captures big picture, not detail. C) No opinion in Task 1. D) Overview usually comes second, before body paragraphs.

What happens if your Task 2 essay is only 200 words (under 250)?

1. No penalty if quality is high
2. Direct penalty in Task Achievement
3. Score is doubled to compensate
4. Essay isn't marked at all

Answer: B — Direct penalty in Task Achievement

A) Penalty applies regardless of quality. B) Correct — direct mark deduction in Task Achievement for under-length essays. Always exceed minimums by 10-20 words. C) No bonus mechanism. D) Essay IS marked but penalized.

A good Task 2 conclusion:

1. introduces a new argument
2. restates the thesis and synthesises main points
3. lists more evidence
4. is optional

Answer: B — restates the thesis and synthesises main points

A) New arguments belong in body. B) Correct — restate + synthesise. C) Evidence belongs in body. D) Required.

'Furthermore' is most similar to:

1. however
2. in contrast
3. moreover
4. although

Answer: C — moreover

A) Contrast marker. B) Contrast. C) Correct — both add an additional point. D) Concession.

A lecturer observes: 'Whereas Victorian cities expanded outward via rail, modern megacities grow vertically.' The contrast is between:

1. Old and new transport modes
2. Horizontal vs vertical urban growth
3. Population sizes
4. Wealth distribution

Answer: B — Horizontal vs vertical urban growth

A) Off-by-one — rail is part of the example, not the main contrast. B) Correct — 'outward' vs 'vertically' is the explicit dichotomy. C) Not the focus. D) Not mentioned.

If you hear 'the postcode is C-B-three, nine-A-X', you should write:

1. CB3 9AX
2. cb3-9ax
3. CB39AX
4. C3 B9 AX

Answer: A — CB3 9AX

A) Correct — UK postcode format with a single space. B) Capitalization matters. C) Space omitted. D) Letters/digits reordered.

A passage ends: 'Far from clarifying matters, the new evidence has only deepened the controversy.' The author implies:

1. The debate is now settled
2. The debate continues and has intensified
3. Evidence is irrelevant
4. The author endorses one side

Answer: B — The debate continues and has intensified

A) Direction reversal. B) Correct — 'far from clarifying … deepened' = continuing, worsening. C) Evidence matters; it's just inconclusive. D) Stance not given.

Cost of IELTS test (general range)?

USD 215-310 depending on country. Check official site for current pricing.

What is Speaking Part 2 (Long Turn)?

Cue card task — speak 1-2 min about a given topic. 1 min prep + 1-2 min talk.

How fast are IELTS results released?

Computer-delivered: 3-5 days. Paper-based: 13 days.

Define 'detrimental'.

Harmful, damaging. 'Detrimental effects on health.'

Define 'compelling'.

Strongly persuasive. 'A compelling argument.'

Writing scoring criteria — name 4.

Task Achievement (Task Response for T2), Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range & Accuracy. Each is 25% of the Writing band.